Chapter 407: Extermination Battle, Part IV
Despite all his flaws, as the last of the ninja, Izuna Uchiha had, in the end, come to acknowledge Jiraiya's determination.
Izuna's expression suddenly changed, noticing the deterioration in Jiraiya's condition. Though he had just stabilized, Jiraiya was again turning pale, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His eyes widened, and he struck a dramatic pose.
"The roaming dragon returns to the sea; even if the waves don't welcome Jiraiya…" With a final, labored breath, Jiraiya's voice trailed off as he collapsed, this time for good.
In those last moments, he had used the sliver of chakra left to shatter his own heart and end his pitiful life on his own terms.
Izuna gazed silently at Jiraiya's lifeless form. He didn't say a word, despite knowing his brother would be displeased. Jiraiya, though an enemy, had died with a kind of tragic dignity befitting a great hero of his time.
"I acknowledge you, Jiraiya. In your next life, don't be so blind," Izuna murmured. He bent down to retrieve the Rinnegan from Jiraiya's corpse a gift his brother, Madara, had intended for him. The Rinnegan, a rare and powerful eye, held great significance within their faction, and unlocking it on his own would be nearly impossible for Izuna.
Yet, as his fingers touched Jiraiya's face, the Rinnegan suddenly disappeared.
"What?!" Izuna was stunned how could the Rinnegan just vanish like that? He quickly deduced the answer, muttering through clenched teeth, "A space time technique!"
Despite his disdain for Myoboku, Izuna had to admit that an ancient power of a thousand years would naturally be stocked with forbidden knowledge. Even a few spatial techniques would be within reach. After all, if someone like Tobirama Senju could develop a space time jutsu within his short lifetime, surely a clan of mystic toads could possess such abilities after a thousand years.
Izuna clenched his fists in frustration but kept his emotions under control. His priorities were clear: protect his brother's ritual to merge Myoboku with the physical realm. The toads would be cornered with nowhere to run once Myoboku was fully linked with the human world.
As he returned, he noticed Madara's perceptive gaze on him.
"What's wrong, Izuna?" Madara asked, his brotherly concern evident.
Izuna forced a faint smile, concealing his irritation. "Nothing, brother. The toads managed to retrieve the Rinnegan at the last moment, but it's not important."
Madara's expression hardened as he realized the source of Izuna's irritation. "That wretched bunch of toads… Manipulating that fool Jiraiya wasn't enough for them; now they've made you their target. Don't worry, Izuna I'll pull them here myself, and you can finally take them down as you see fit!"
With that, Madara's expression turned fierce, and he summoned his full power, amplifying his "Universal Pull" technique into a powerful storm that shook the realm like a typhoon.
High above, the outline of Myoboku became visible through the haze a land encased in a yellow barrier, sprawling over miles of verdant terrain.
"So that's Myoboku?" Madara sneered. "It's a paradise compared to Ryuchi Cave and the Shikkotsu Forest, yet it's wasted on a horde of toads. It's time to bring them down. This is the sacred realm of the Hanhai God, and everything here belongs to him!"
Inside Myoboku, three sage toads gathered solemnly within an enormous, arcane formation. Fukasaku turned to the ancient Great Toad Sage, his voice heavy with urgency. "Lord Sage, it's over… Myoboku can't withstand any longer."
Though aged and fragile, the Great Toad Sage was far from oblivious. Even if he wanted to sleep, the immense, violent energy outside would keep him wide awake. Shima, the female sage, exchanged a look with Fukasaku, who spoke next.
"Master Sage, the surrounding space is locked down. I've tried activating a link with other Myoboku contractors, but they cannot summon us."
The Great Toad Sage knew the grim implications; he was losing options. After a long pause, he let out a resigned breath. "I have no choice. It seems I'll need to use our last resort."
The two younger sages perked up; they had hoped the venerable sage had kept a final trump card for situations like this. After all, if he could unveil the Rinnegan, surely he had more secrets in store.
The Great Toad Sage hesitated before slowly saying, "Myoboku and the human world are fated to reunite. I will attempt to weaken the humans' sealing barrier. Once I break it, the toads must scatter and go into hiding among humans. And from now on, Myoboku toads can no longer call themselves by that name… We're intruders in the age of humankind."
Though unwilling to admit it, he knew Myoboku was finished. Toads were no match for humans in a fair contest, and it was only the abundant natural energy of Myoboku that had sustained their power for so long.
Fukasaku and Shima shared a sorrowful glance, sensing the Great Sage's resolve and the faint acceptance of his fate.
"It will be done," they replied solemnly.
The Great Sage nodded, removing his scholar's cap. Black markings of an ancient sealing spell covered his aged body, pulsing with energy.
"Senjutsu: Reversal of Life!" he intoned, and with a subtle glow, his ancient form began to rejuvenate, growing stronger as he reverted to his youthful self.
Shima looked on, her eyes wide. She had never seen such a technique before and felt a pang of envy. The Great Toad Sage read her thoughts and sighed, his voice laced with finality. "Don't be foolish. This technique requires an immense supply of chakra and natural energy. It comes at a great cost and is temporary."
Chapter End
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